Take Five: Westfield School Board Candidate Justin Fahey

WESTFIELD, NJ — There are seats opening up on the Westfield Board of Education and Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the general election this November.

Questionnaires were sent out out to all candidates registered with the County Clerk's Office in the 2019 general election using the email addresses they went on file with. The responses will be posted on the site by those who submitted in the order in which they were received. They will also be included in an election preview wrap.

This Take Five features Justin Fahey. His responses to the questions are below and unedited.

1. Why are you running for BOE?

My reason for running is because of my concern not only for my children, but all the children in the school system. There is a need for some change and I feel that given a chance, I will do everything in my power to ensure that.

2. What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

Securing the safety of our children. We should use the incident at the Tamaques school last year as a learning experience and work on preventing it from happening again. That along with educating our children about the opioid epidemic and working on keeping them drug free are on the top of my list.

3. What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Honest, Kind, Direct

4. What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

My role as the Chief of Staff for an assemblyman has taught me how to bring groups of people together to achieve a single goal. In addition, as CEO of my own Public Relations firm, I had to make quick decisions to protect and promote my clients.

5. Tell me something about you, like hobbies or interests, that have nothing to do with the campaign

I’m a former stand-up comic who is still pretty funny.

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